Lincoln letter on Louisiana elections, Washington, 1862

Description

President Abraham Lincoln wrote to Brig. Gen. George F. Shepley, military governor of Louisiana, about possible elections in that state, which was under Union control during the Civil War.

Shepley, a Portland lawyer and former commander of the 12th Maine Infantry, was named military governor shortly after the Union took control of New Orleans and other areas of the state in 1862.

Lincoln noted that his goal was to have Louisiana residents willing to swear to support the U.S. Constitution be elected -- and that there was no point in having northerners named as Louisiana representatives to Congress.